Thursday: The Words We Want (and Don’t Want) to Hear
We are strangers and pilgrims on earth, with heaven – perfect, beautiful, and peaceful – as our ultimate destination (Heb. 11:13-14). Until then, we have to live our existence here. The Christian worldview, especially as revealed in the great controversy, allows for no neutral parties now. We either live for God or for the enemy.
Image © Kevin Carden Goodsalt.com
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad” (Matt. 12:30). Whose side we’re on will be revealed, clearly and unambiguously, when He returns.
At some point after Christ returns, those who claimed to follow Him will hear one of two phrases. What are those phrases and what does each one mean? Matt. 25:21, Matt. 7:23.
Christ’s words “well done” are the most pleasing and satisfying words a steward will ever hear. To have divine, unqualified approval expressed over our attempts to manage His possessions would bring unspeakable joy for doing our best according to our abilities, for knowing all along that our salvation is rooted, not in our works for Christ but in His works for us (see Rom. 3:21, Rom. 4:6).
A faithful steward’s life is a reflection of the faith he or she already has. The attempt at salvation by works is seen in the words of those who sought to justify themselves before God by their works (see Matt. 7:21-22). Matthew 7:23 shows how futile that self-justification really is.
“When Christ’s followers give back to the Lord His own, they are accumulating treasure which will be given to them when they shall hear the words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” – Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 523.
In the end, stewardship is a life lived in which the two greatest commandments, love for God and love for our neighbors, are the motivation and driving force in all that one does.
| How well does your own life, and the stewardship revealed in your life, reflect these two greatest commandments? |
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It seems to be a pretty thin line between working to be saved and working because you are saved. I heard a sermon not long ago where the pastor said you know if you are saved or not. The Pharisee knew he was saved and knew the publican was lost. Jesus knew the opposite. In this lesson the people in Matt 7:22-23 knew they were saved but were not. Just because you know something, it does not make it right. I was teaching a class of about 18 people and mentioned that E.G. White said about 1 in 20 will be saved. One lady put her hand up and said "That's me in this class". What about the rest of us? Are we all lost?
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Tim 4:7-8)
We can gather from this passage that we too can have this assurance?
We all are saved! 100% saved! What will we choose? To accept it and rest in Christ my righteousness, or continue to wonder if I am the one in twenty?
You are so right! All men are saved...if they CHOSE to be! Above the verse references those who PRACTICE lawlessness will not be saved. It does not say those who have PERFECTED righteousness will be saved. Willingly we PRACTICE righteousness but will never fully perfect it in this realm. Our complete righteousness and perfection IS Christ alone who IS the embodiment of the LAW LIVED TO PERFECTION. This is true for all men if they willingly receive it.
I think there is more after faith in that the Faith of Jesus leads us into His Righteousness. The Spiri of God brings all His fruit into our experience. Our life is full of His life in us.
It is vital to understand our true condition, and not to be self-deceived as Laodicea(Rev 3:17) who "knows not". It is this understanding that Paul urges upon all who claim to be Christ's followers in 2 Cor 13:5. If we truly have the fear of the Lord, it will give us "strong confidence(Prov 14:26 KJV) and lead to heavenly wisdom(Prov 9:10).
Has anyone asked a questions as to the nature of God? Such as, even though we say God is love, do we in our finite limited understanding imagine God is tangible?
The question probably doesn't have an answer because Isaiah 55:8-11 seems to say, don't waste time asking questions that are carnal. However we have circumstances at times that stimulate our minds to browse,in an effort to understand. The question that I am asking is personal opinion. Comments are appreciated.
To me, God is everything and in everything i.e. He is what that "thing/person/concept" would be if perfect/complete. His completeness is love. There is no lack, no "dis" (disease, discontent etc) anything. He doesn't have love nor give love but rather IS LOVE and can be nothing else. However He is a 1 Corinthians 13 love, capable of and demanding the standard of highest and best which does not make Him a cosmic "yes man" but rather capable of saying "NO!" When our desires are contrary to what is His perfection the only LOVING RESPONSE is "NO, STOP, I CAN'T" etc.
We can understand the nature of God's love if our hearts are not blinded against the knowledge that exists all around us. My daily needs supplied and the peace that comes to all who are "justified by faith" in Christ. What more do we need to know before we believe and enjoy the benefits of faith?
And for those thus justified, the light of truth will continue to grow in brilliance until we stand in the very presence of God(Prov 4:18).
Paul you have been a Christian long enough to know that you can’t physically reach out and touch God. Read the following: And you will see that the nature of Gods ways, and His thoughts were revealed to his disciples. They were glorified by God, sought the Lord while He was able to be found. They called upon Him while He was near. They turned to the Lord. Isaiah 55:5-7. And He in His love bid the Holy Spirit to reveal His ways.
“After the descent of the Holy Spirit, when the disciples went forth to proclaim a living Saviour, their one desire was the salvation of souls. They rejoiced in the sweetness of communion with saints. They were tender, thoughtful, self-denying, willing to make any sacrifice for the truth's sake. In their daily association with one another, they revealed the love that Christ had enjoined upon them. By unselfish words and deeds they strove to kindle this love in other hearts.” AA 547.3 I do believe we can have this experience too. The Lord says, ye are my disciples, seek Me with all your heart and you will find Me. Deuteronomy 4:29-30. No, we do not touch Him physically, but the treasures of heaven are there if we hold out our hand, He will fill our cup. John 4:14.
Another nature of God, Paul you can’t touch physically, but you can partake of.
Happy Sabbath
The words I want to hear "Because You Ronald Ashley has been a faithful Steward Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."
The words I don't want to hear is Depart from Me I know you not
The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature. But do not be discouraged. This is evidence that Satan’s delusions have lost their power; that the vivifying influence of the Spirit of God is arousing you, and your indifference and unconcern are passing away.
From Devotional: Our Father Cares, pp. 90, 91.
But he who does the will of my Father in heaven is the key part of the verse Matthew 7:22-23. Prophesying has nothing to do with salvation. Working for the father has nothing to do with salvation. Christ is our salvation. It’s his works of dieing on the cross that save us . Our works should be motivated by our love for Christ . That love relationship is why he knows us. My works are not my own they are His works . Working threw me ,in his power, It is his glory. Works that others may glorify the Father. Their is no credit to the worker other than He knew him. Intimately one on one daily. Love for Him spills over and into a love for our neighbor.
"Christ’s words “well done” are the most pleasing and satisfying words a steward will ever hear. To have divine, unqualified approval expressed over our attempts to manage His possessions would bring unspeakable joy for doing our best according to our abilities, for knowing all along that our salvation is rooted, not in our works for Christ but in His works for us"
I believe our salvation is rooted, not in our works for Christ nor his work for us, but in his works through us.
Paul made two statements to this:
1. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
2. I died; therefore, that which I do it is not I that do it but Christ in me that do it.
When Jesus knock and we let him in, we are no longer in charge (I surrender all)
Just like the when Jesus entered the city because he was welcomed in, he went into the temple and cleaned it out for his works. So to when he enters the temple of God (our body) he will clean it for his works.
The problem was that soon after the same people that welcome him in, said crucify him. When the trials come, which we must go through we go back to the beggarly elements of the world by pushing Christ out (crucifying him again and again).
In order for us to hear "well done" we must let go and let God do his work. That is the rest which Christ has called us into.
My thoughts.
The Pharisee knew that he was saved and that the Publican praying next to him was lost. But God (Jesus,) knew the opposite for the Pharisee. The Pharisee presented to God in his prayer all about himself that he felt qualified him for salvation. The Publican presented to God in his prayer his total and complete unworthy disqualification for salvation but claimed God's mercy in his behalf. If we will be approved by God for salvation we need to always have the mindset of the Publican---always admitting our complete unworthiness for it and trusting God (Jesus,) for his interceding in our behalf for it.
Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."6 "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
This is the goal for all of us. We have to allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth.
What exactly is it that anyone can do "well" in order to hear these blessed words of commendation? Is it not the simple act of exercising faith? What more can we do than this? By this action all other blessings come, and it is "not I, but Christ", yet He will say to us; "Well done!". Yes, we do well to open to His knocking(Rev 3:20), allowing Him to bear fruit in our lives. Without our overcoming unbelief, nothing we do will be done well.
It is left with us to exercise faith in all the abundance of evidence God has given.
I think there is more after faith in that the Faith of Jesus leads us into His Righteousness. The Spiri of God brings all His fruit into our experience. Our life is full of His life in us.
It is right to think of the prize! It is ok to wonder or aspire noble objectives!
The thing is that we haven't got there yet! The end is still ahead! All that we have is in today! NOW is what matters! Our worries must face this, and are we doing all we can to get the prize today?
At the end, God is the One to judge what we deserve! But then, if we did it all based on genuine LOVE, why would Jesus turn to us saying "I do not know you"? LOVE is the guarantee!